Chapter 5
It was a letter. It was written in blood by none other than Voldemort himself.
Surprised at my silence….. weren't you Potter? Well my silence ends here. I have discovered enough about the prophecy to take you on. Of course that old fool must have told you that neither of us can survive while the other does. So let's decide it today once and for all. You must be thinking that this is `one of those traps'. Well, it's not. To defeat a kid like you I do not need my brains. Nobody except you and me knows about this. The moment you finish reading this letter, it will burn up in flames. Let me tell you that if you refuse this challenge I'll make life hell for you. Today I've offered you a painless death so that I can attain invincibility without your hindrance. But if you don't take this chance I'll torture and kill everyone you love, before your eyes, especially that good for nothing mudblood. Of course I'll kill you in the end. So if you decide to come, walk up to that oaf's hut behind which you'll see a small green statue. It is a portkey which will bring you to me. And by the way if you whisper anything about this to anyone the portkey will get deactivated. Be sure to be here before ten in the night. Hope to see you soon.
The Dark Lord
Harry couldn't think properly. He had less than an hour and a half to make his decision. If he didn't go he would put others in danger. After Sirius' death he wasn't prepared to do that. On the other hand he wasn't sure if he was ready to face him yet. He felt that others' interests were more important than his. So he decided t go. He thought about taking the invisibility cloak but decided against it feeling that Voldemort would have ways to see through it. He quietly walked downstairs. There was a party going on in the Gryffindor common room. Ron and Hermione called him in. He told them that he had to see Snape for something and would return soon. They let him go though they felt suspicious. Harry walked to Hagrids' hut where he found the green statue waiting for him. He touched it with shaking hands. He landed in a dark desert like place. He walked around a bit before….
"Welcome Mr. Potter. Congratulations on making the correct decision. So if you are ready, can we start?" asked Voldemort appearing from behind a rock. Harry nodded.
"Expelliarmus!" cried Voldemort. Harry was barely able to move out of the way in time.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" shouted Harry, thinking that it would be easier to disarm Voldemort if he was off balance. He thought he had succeeded. The spell was heading straight at Voldemort. But at the very last moment Voldemort deflected it with his wand. Harry looked stunned. Before he could react…
"Expelliarmus!" cried Voldemort. The spell came towards Harry. He tried to move away but it hit him on his right hand. His wand flew out of his hands and landed far away. Voldemort walked up to him laughing.
"So the famous Harry Potter is about to end. Defeated at last by the Dark Lord whome unwisely challenged. Before you say anything, Petrificus Totalus!" he said softly with a smile of triumph on his face.
"Prepare to die you fool. I've had enough of you. Av…", he started.
"Not that fast, Tom. Expelliarmus!" said voice coming out of nowhere. Hermione stood about fifteen feet away from them. Voldemort's wand flew straight into her hands. She had three wands. Harry's, Voldemort's and her own. She quickly performed the counter curse on Harry who had his mouth open in disbelief. The two enemies were standing with side by side facing Hermione and totally defenseless.
"Can't play fair Potter, Can you? How did you tell her?" asked Voldemort in disgust.
"You shouldn't be the one talking about playing fair, Tom. Though Harry did play fair, I sensed from his eyes that something was wrong. Horribly wrong. Now as you did to Petrificus Totalus Aminus! That's another version of the spell. Your body below the neck will be petrified. So you can talk if you wish to", said Hermione loudly. Voldemort was frozen at his spot. He could not do anything. He kept quiet.
"Since he doesn't have to say anything, it'll be better if you finish the job quickly Harry", said Hermione, waling up to Harry and giving him his wand. Harry did not move. He couldn't believe what was happening. Voldemort was right in front of him totally helpless. Yet something was stopping him.
"How do I kill somebody?" he asked Hermione uncertainly.
"Harry he MURDERED your parents. He is the reason that you have no parents. He is the reason you have to stay with those horrible Dursleys every summer. He was responsible for Sirius' death. Just finish him off", she screamed at him.
Harry still didn't raise his wand. He was at loss about what to do. This was the moment he and the entire wizarding world were waiting for. So what was stopping him? Voldemort sensed his weakness.
"Potter if you kill me you'd be no better than I am. You'll remain a murderer all your life. There would be no difference between you and me. Do you want to be like me?" he asked with a smile on his face.
"Harry if you don't kill him you'll be putting the entire world in danger. He'll torture everyone. He'll kill every soul who doesn't join him. HE'LL KILL ME!! DO YOU WANT THAT???" she shouted as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"AVADA KEDAVRA", hollered Harry. Voldemorts screamed before dropping down dead. It was over. Harry stood there watching, just to make sure. He rushed towards Hermione and they both cried in each others' arms. Harry recovered first.
"How did you get here?" he asked Hermione.
"Just as you left I knew something was wrong. Your eyes told me. I've known you for six years Harry. You can't hide anything from me. I followed you. I saw you touching the portkey. Without hesitation I did the same. As soon as I got here I saw him. You hadn't seen him yet. You were wandering around. I hid behind a rock so that he wouldn't know of my arrival. You know what happened after that", she replied.
"What would I do without you Hermione? C'mon. Let's go back. People must be getting worried", Harry said pulling Hermione up. They touched the portkey together and landed behind Hagrids' hut. They were going back to the Gryffindor common room when Professor McGonagall stopped them.
"What do you two think you are up to? The entire school has been searching for you. This is a very serious matter", she said sternly.
"Professor actually we…", started Hermione but was cut off by Professor McGonagall.
"Miss Granger I expected better from a prefect. You two come to my office immediately. You better have a good excuse or there will be trouble for you. Big trouble", she added.
"Do dueling and killing Voldemort qualify as good enough excuses?" asked Harry with an innocent smile on his face.
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